Coach Bobby Character Analysis in Firekeeper’s Daughter

Coach Bobby is the Sault High varsity hockey coach and a business teacher—and eventually, Daunis discovers he’s involved in the meth cell. This is totally unexpected for her, though, as Coach has always been wildly supportive of all hockey players, particularly female players like Daunis and Robin who played on a boys’ team. It’s unfathomable to Daunis that Coach would see no issue with kidnapping Daunis (and before her, Uncle David) and threatening Mom to encourage Daunis to cook great meth after protecting and supporting her for years. Still, once his involvement comes to light, Daunis realizes she missed some of the signs that he was involved, such as an apparent recent influx of money and the fact that he’s known for investing in various business ventures. Despite his involvement, Coach Bobby ultimately agrees to be the “star witness” and testify against Levi—something that gives Daunis recurring nightmares.

Coach Bobby Character Timeline in Firekeeper’s Daughter

The timeline below shows where the character Coach Bobby appears in Firekeeper’s Daughter. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

...Daunis starts seeing someone. Levi just said that they should be back by Monday for Coach Bobby ’s Labor Day bonfire cookout. At the hotel, Daunis catches a glimpse of Jamie’s ID,... (full context)

...telling her that she’s not allowing herself to experience new things. Jamie finally asks about Coach Bobby , and Daunis explains that he’s the Sault High hockey coach and a business teacher.... (full context)

Daunis and Jamie approach the party on the shore, eliciting teasing whoops from party attendees. Coach Bobby is flipping burgers under a gazebo, and Daunis introduces him to Jamie. Coach Bobby gruffly... (full context)

Later that afternoon, Daunis’s stomach cramps; she excuses herself to use the bathroom in Coach Bobby ’s cabin. She hasn’t been here in a year, and Coach Bobby has renovated his... (full context)

...Daunis in a calming hug. Daunis remembers listening to a story on the radio with Coach Bobby about calming animals this way prior to slaughter. Soon after, Daunis leads a bunch of... (full context)

Generational Trauma and Bigotry Theme Icon

...NDA. Mrs. Edwards, who bought GrandMary’s clothing store, introduces herself first, and then Daunis introduces Coach Bobby and Mr. Edwards to Ron. Mr. Edwards insists Daunis call him Grant now that she’s... (full context)

...to the Edwardses’ house. On the way, Daunis says that in addition to some players, Coach Bobby will be there—he and Grant got to be good friends after a shooting incident a... (full context)

...the Edwards house, Daunis identifies all the luxury vehicles belonging to Dana, Levi, Grant, and Coach Bobby , but she insists nice cars aren’t suspicious and Coach won his in a poker... (full context)

...for Daunis, so Daunis should come for a fitting soon. As the conversation moves on, Coach Bobby says it’s not too late for Daunis to play national hockey. Daunis tries to hide... (full context)

At the game the next day, Coach Bobby scolds Daunis for lifting with her bad shoulder when she helps carry boxes of souvenir... (full context)

...much money in their joint account. He says he’s buying land in Ontario, but unlike Coach Bobby (who’s always looking for investments), this investment will take off. Then, Levi asks if GrandMary... (full context)

...final period, Stormy crashes into Daunis. She lands on her shoulder to stabbing pain, and Coach Bobby pulls Daunis out immediately. Macy soon joins Daunis on the bench and comments that Jamie... (full context)

The guy who replaced Daunis is doing an awful job, but Coach Bobby refuses to let Daunis back on the ice. Macy teases Daunis; she’s injured and wouldn’t... (full context)

...they sit in the driveway. It feels comforting to Daunis; it reminds her of when Coach Bobby would drive her home after games. Ron asks if Daunis can say what happened with... (full context)

...praise and feeling betrayed. Mike picks up the story and says it all started in Coach Bobby ’s business class, when the guys started to wonder why city drug dealers got more... (full context)

...too far ahead. She notices Grant’s car; he must be here to get Levi. Then, Coach Bobby pulls up. Daunis asks for help chasing Levi and to use his phone. He agrees... (full context)

Coach Bobby tells Daunis to be smart. He’s always helped and defended her, but now he says... (full context)

...She’s bleeding within moments and crawls out the driver’s side of the car. TJ has Coach Bobby at gunpoint, and his partner cuffs Coach. TJ ignores Daunis as he runs to the... (full context)

Levi begs Daunis to tell TJ that Coach Bobby forced him to help, but Daunis backs away. She tells Levi she loves him enough... (full context)

...for saving Jamie, and he nods in return. Then, she tells Jamie what happened with Coach Bobby , and Jamie says that Mike did nothing when the two-hour deadline passed. Mike left... (full context)

Several days later, Daunis describes her race off the ferry and crashing Coach Bobby ’s car in great detail. She continues that the crash tore her liver, and she... (full context)

Ron apologizes. He says that Coach Bobby has been charged, too. Daunis realizes she missed the signs, like his fancy car and... (full context)

...prison each night.) Mike is still at large; his parents divorced. The star witness is Coach Bobby . When he accepted the plea deal to testify against Levi, Daunis started having nightmares... (full context)